What Support is Available for Small Businesses in Northamptonshire?

29-01-2018

Support for small businesses in Northamptonshire
With its central location and thriving logistics sector, Northamptonshire is currently one of the best places for small businesses to set up. Starting a new business, of course, can be daunting. While it’s easier than ever to get a project off the ground, nearly half of new ventures still fail within the first three years.

Often that’s because a business isn’t being provided with the support it really needs. Many companies don’t know what support is available for small businesses in Northamptonshire?

The good news is that, if you locate your business to Northamptonshire, there’s plenty of help, advice and support available to get you up and running. The county has a number of initiatives in place that are specifically designed to attract new businesses, providing all the tools they need to succeed.

Support available for small businesses in Northamptonshire:

1. Northamptonshire Growth Hub

The hub offers free workshops, advice and access to grants for potential or existing new businesses, helping them to thrive in today’s competitive environment. It’s available at a number of different locations including Nene Business Centre and the local University of Northampton Innovation Centre. Many locations provide flexible office units to suit all kinds of business while offering access to a range of professional advice to support small businesses in Northamptonshire.
That support can include finding out where you can get additional financing through initiatives such as the Digital Enhancement Grant and Ready to Grow Grant. The hubs run regular events throughout the year where you can find out what’s on offer and meet other small business owners in the region as well as focused workshops that improve your skills and knowledge.
Find out more about the Northamptonshire Growth Hub.

2. The Velocity Hub

If you’re a small but established business looking to grow, then the Velocity Hub is another organisation that provides free and independent advice. You can get 12 hours of one to one support including vital workshops that help hone your business development strategy as well as advice on the current range of grants available. The workshops are run by experienced professionals who have been in the same situation as many new business owners and have operated across a whole host of different sectors.
Find out more about the Velocity Hub.

3. SEMLEP

The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) was created to help unlock the growth potential of businesses across the region including Northamptonshire. They handle the Local Growth Fund and offer free advice and support to local businesses of all types, including manufacturing and advanced technology, logistics, as well as the creative sector.

Find out more about the Support for small businesses in Northamptonshire and SEMLEP.

4. NN Connect

There’s nothing more important than networking in your local area when you set up a busineslike-minded only provides support from likeminded individuals, it can also help you find the valuable resources you need to grow and succeed. NN Connect is a new Northamptonshire business networking group that currently has over 170 members who meet fortnightly for breakfast and at regular events throughout the year.
Find out more about NN Connect.

While setting up and developing a business is never easy, having the right support in place can make a huge difference to your chances of success. The good news is that Northamptonshire has the infrastructure in place to help small businesses not only survive but thrive and grow for a long time to come.

NN1 Personnel has been supported by the Northamptonshire Growth Hub through the Ready2Grow project, supporting our company with a range of skills workshops, and giving us the opportunity to apply for available grant funding to help our business growth and win awards.

To read a full case study on support for small businesses in Northamptonshire please follow this link